The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Can anyone tell me if I send my Navitimer in for the full service from Breitling USA is they do anything for the Tritium illumination or if they change hands, parts out???...wondering if they might do a different look for me...

Bill

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Breitling Old Navitimer

I did just now rewatch the Breitling Service video on their site and learned they do replace the hands...(I thought only the sub dial hands)...but would love to hear from anyone who used Breitling USA for the full monty...

Bill

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Breitling Old Navitimer

If it is old enough to have tritium on the dial and hands, they will refer you to Mark Heist in PA. Go to http://www.horologicalservices.com/ for info. They used to have about a one year backlog, but I've heard it has improved lately.

A member here, Chronodeco, can probably help too. He is highly recommened by members here.

Another place to try is Once Upon a Time in Staunton, VA. 540-885-6064, ask for Dean. He used to be a Breitling AD until they demanded that he carry something like 30 Breitlings in his display case. Too much for a small town shop that might sell two or three a year. He runs a good clean facility and is swiss trained. I'm sure he can turn it around in less time.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

thank you...mine is 18 years old and Tritium...I was told earlier to only use Breitling to service my watch and that several who went elsewhere experienced problems, not the case???

Bill

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Breitling Old Navitimer

They will service an 18 years old watch.

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Mat

Breitling Navitimer 01
Omega Seamaster 300mc
Omega Speedmaster Pro "Mitsukoshi Mod"
Seiko Prospek Orange Samurai

Contact BUSA and give them the information off the back of the watch. If it is from 1994, or thereabouts, they should be able to service it. I doubt that they will have tritium hands. It is no longer legal to use unless completely contained. Additionally, the half life decay will dramatically reduce the luminance even if you could find them.

Another source for service is Swiss Watch Service in FL. They are an authorized service center and usually turn one around in two or three weeks. Go to http://www.swisswatchserviceus.com/ for info.

Good luck.

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1809 Cosmonaute
1903 Navi
Navi Olympus
Super Avenger

I should be getting the Chrono Shark back form BUSA in about a month. They are replacing the old dial with a NOS panda dial for the Chrono Shark and we assume it will be old, spent tritium on the dial which is fine - sacrifice glow for patina. They are putting new hands on. Also a new mineral crystal dial. Completely reworking the movement. Plus I will then have a one year BUSA warranty.

So yeah, the full Monty there, but I think I just got lucky on the dial.

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SHARKMAN

It may have tritium from the early 90s, and BUSA will service it. Hands are replaced as a matter of course, they will likely give you the option of reluming (with SuperLuminova). They won't change the overall look and feel though, just restore to as much like original condition as possible.

exactly what I figured...I wondered about re-lume at first as I didn't think hands were replaced...I will contact Breitling USA to get an idea on what all they can/will do...do they keep your watch for a long time???...(dependent on work needed of course)...wondering if I should consider changing from the gold hands to something else...

Thanks for the feedback so far...it is appreciated...

Bill

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Breitling Old Navitimer

You can't change the colour of the hands, it came with gold so Breitling will insist on gold. Usual turnaround time is about 8 weeks right now I believe.

ahhh...thanks...so much for that information...


Bill

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Breitling Old Navitimer